Composition and process for extracting metals from their ores.



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JAMES F. WILLIAMS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

COIVIZPOSI'IION AND PROCESS FOR, EXTRACTING- METALS FROM THEIR ORES.

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No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns F. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco, Stateof California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCompositions and Processes for Extracting Metals from Their Ores; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in aprocess of and solution for treating precious-metal hearing ores, andhas particular application to the freeing of precious metals such asgold, silver and platinum from silicious ores and placer sands, myobject being to provide a process and solution by which the metal may beeconomically freed from the materials with which it is associated sothat such metals may readily amalgamate.

In carrying out my process, the ore or sand is first pulverized andscreened, the degree of fineness being governed by the character oftheore. The pulverized ore is then allowed to stand for a number ofhours in a special solution or bath, the formula of which willhereinafter be given, after which the solution is run off and the ore isflushed or run from the tank in which it has been treated over amalgamplates and so amalgamated, this part of the process being similar to theordinary stamp mill amalgamation process. The amalgam is then retortedin the usual manner to free the metal from the mercury.

In practising the invention, the bath is preferably prepared in twoparts having the following proportions: One ounce of concentratedsulfuric acid is thoroughly mixed with sixteen ounces of water to formthe first part of the bath and forty grains of potassium bromid is thendissolved in two ounces of water to make the second part of the bath.The potassium bromid solution is then added to the acid solution. Thesolution thus formed may be diluted with water to attain the properstrength for a specific use, the strength of the solution employed ofcourse being governed by the character of the ore treated. Theproportions above given, I have found by experi- Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented July 1L3, 1915.

Application filed January 2, 1912. Serial No. 668,958.

ence to be desirable for practicable use, although it will of course beunderstood that the proportion may be varied to suit the occasion. As arule, ten hours immersion of the ore in this solution is sufficient, butthe length of time required depends of course upon the strength of thesolution employed and the character and fineness of the ore undergoingthe treatment. The solution when drawn off may be retained and usedagain.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simpleprocess and solution for freeing metals from their ores in the solutionemployed in the process being readily and economically manufactured.

What I claim is:

1. The herein-described process in freeing precious metals from theirores which consists in treating the ore with a bath composed of water,sulfuric acid and potassium bromid.

2. The herein-described process in freeing precious metals from theirores which consists in treating the ore with a bath composed of water,sulfuric acid and potassium bromid in substantially the proportion ofeighteen ounces of water, one ounce of sulfuric acid and forty grains ofpotassium bromid.

3. The herein-described solution for freeing precious metals from theirores consisting of water, sulfuric acid and potassium bromid.

4. The herein-described solution for freeing precious metals from theirores consisting of water, sulfuric acid and potassium bromid insubstantially the proportion of eighteen ounces of water, one ounce ofsulfuric acid and forty grains of potassium bromid.

5. The process of separating precious metals from their ores whichconsists in treating the ore with a mixture of a solution of sulfuricacid and a solution of potassium bromid and bringing the mass intocontact with mercury.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES F. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

FRED B. SANFORD, NORMA B. PERL.

Gunter, of. this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the fiomm'lssioner of Patents Washington, D. U.

